AER Communicating Europe Award

For many people of today Europe is identified with the European Union which gives the impression of being too far away from the ordinary citizen and which seems to have become a symbol for bureaucracy and distant governance. Surveys confirm a decline in public support for the EU. Yet, for the past 50 years, Europe and the European Union have been a model for peace, freedom and prosperity in the world. And today, global challenges such as climate change and energy, immigration and trade issues can only be adequately met with a truly European response.

In order to address these challenges and to safeguard the founding principles of the European project, we need to overcome this negative feeling about Europe: we must develop new ways of communicating Europe to our citizens, to our children, to our young people, to our grandparents - in short, to all the members of our society.

What kind of projects can be submitted?

The AER is seeking projects that make European integration tangible for the citizens. The theme of European integration encompasses the activities and policies of the European Union, but also the wider concept of European values and identity, which are not only limited to the EU. We want to know how your region is promoting the idea of Europe and engaging citizens in European issues.

How do you bring Europe closer to your citizens? Do you organise public debates on European issues in your region? Do you brief the media regularly on relevant European topics? Do you conduct surveys to receive feedback on Europe from the citizens? Or do you showcase European politics to citizens?

Who can participate?

Participants should be regional authorities and their institutions from any Council of Europe country.